Fabrication of magnesium ferrite-graphene oxide-copper sulfide nanocomposites to increase photocatalytic properties

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Science, Arak University of Technology, Arak, Iran

2 Kashan University

10.22052/jns.2022.248617.2779

Abstract

Using photo-catalytic materials is considered to be an optimal solution to decrease organic pollutants such as different azo dyes. In this research, a new triplex catalyst of magnesium ferrite- graphene oxide-copper sulfide (MgFe2O4-GO-CuS) was synthesized for degradation of three various azo dyes Methyl orange, Methyl Red and Eriochrome Black-T under ultra-violet light illumination. Copper sulfide nanoparticles trait is extensively used for photocatalytic activities. In this work, the graphene oxide sheets were prepared with Hummer’s method, and other synthesis steps were performed by the hydrothermal method. On the other hand, CuS nanostructures were synthesized with a hydrothermal procedure and then were coated on the MgFe2O4-GO templates applying ultra sound waves. To specify the morphology, structure, particle size, purity, bandgap, and bonds were employed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The experimental conclusions determined that the MgFe2O4-GO-CuS nanocomposites were successfully synthesized and had a beneficial effect on the elimination of azo dyes.
Keywords: Graphene oxide, Photocatalyst, Nanocomposites, copper sulfide, magnesium ferrite.

Keywords